Facteurs associés à la lombalgie chez les chauffeurs de transport en commun de la ville de Parakou / NA

Objectif : Déterminer la prévalence et les facteurs de risque de lombalgie chez les chauffeurs de transport en commun de la ville de Parakou. Méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, descriptive et à visé analytique qui a porté sur les chauffeurs de transport en commun de Parakou, librement consentants. Un questionnaire, une toise, un mètre ruban et un pèse-personne, ont permis la collecte des données en lien avec la lombalgie. Elles ont été traitées et analysées avec Épi info 7.1.5.0. Le test statistique de chi2 a été utilisé pour comparer la prévalence de la lombalgie avec les facteurs de risque. Résultats : 272 chauffeurs tous de sexe masculin ont été enquêtés. La tranche d'âge [35-44 ans] prédominait. Étaient plus représentés les conducteurs de voiture (52,94%), ceux qui avaient moins de 5 ans d'ancienneté (32,72%) et ceux qui restaient en position assise pénible (91,91%). 63,60% souffraient de la lombalgie. Elle n'est statistiquement associée qu'à la vibration mécanique. Conclusion : La lombalgie est un problème de santé publique chez les conducteurs de transport en commun de Parakou

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among public transport drivers in the city of Parakou. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study that focused on the public transport drivers of Parakou, freely consenting. A questionnaire, a measuring rod, a tape measure and a bathroom scale were used to collect data related to low back pain. They were processed and analyzed with Epi info 7.1.5.0. The chi2 statistical test was used to compare the prevalence of low back pain with the risk factors. Results: 272 all male drivers were surveyed. The age group [35-44 years] predominated. Car drivers were more represented (52.94%), those with less than 5 years of service (32.72%) and those who remained in a painful sitting position (91.91%). 63.60% suffered from low back pain. It is statistically associated only with mechanical vibration. Conclusion: Low back pain is a public health problem among public transport drivers in Parakou

Transmission of respiratory viruses when using public ground transport: A rapid review to inform public health recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous countries worldwide declared national states of emergency and implemented interventions to minimise the risk of transmission among the public. Evidence was needed to inform strategies for limiting COVID-19 transmission on public transport. On 20 March 2020, we searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science and the World Health Organization's database of 'Global research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19)' to conduct a rapid review on interventions that reduce viral transmission on public ground transport. After screening 74 records, we identified 4 eligible studies. These studies suggest an increased risk of viral transmission with public transportation use that may be reduced with improved ventilation. International and national guidelines suggest the following strategies: keep the public informed, stay at home when sick, and minimise public transport use. Where use is unavoidable, environmental control, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene are recommended, while a risk-based approach needs to guide the use of non-medical masks

Role of computed tomography scan in assessment of skull fracture patterns among motorcycle road traffic accident patients in South Western Nigeria

Background: Commercial motorcycling is a common means of transportation in Nigeria, and motorcycle road traffic accidents (MCRTAs) are commonly associated with multiple skull fractures. Cranial computed tomography (CT) scan is the standard imaging modality of patients with head injury. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the pattern of skull fractures on cranial CT scan in patients with head injury following MCRTA. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, between June and October 2016. Noncontrast cranial CT scan was performed on 190 patients who presented with head injury following MCRTAs. Results: Over half (n = 59.8%) of the patients were within the ages of 20­39 years with a mean age of 33 ± 14.37 years. A total of 183 patients did not use crash helmet at the time of accident, out of which 168 (n = 88.4%) sustained skull fractures. Six different skull fracture patterns were identified on cranial CT scan of these patients. The most common fracture pattern seen was the combined calvarial, facial, and base of skull fractures representing 22.1% while the least fracture pattern was the base of skull fracture (n = 4.7%). Most of the patients with calvarial fractures were without helmet at the time of injury (n = 98.3%) compared to 1.7% of patients who wore helmet at the time of injury. This was statistically significant (P = 0.040). Conclusion: This study further underscores the usefulness of cranial CT scan in identifying and evaluating patients with skull fractures following MCRTA in our environment, thus guiding proper medical and surgical management of such patients in a low-resource setting

Informal transit, socio-spatial exclusion, and changing geographies of HIV/AIDS in urban Malawi

The role played by the transport sector in the regional spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa is well known, yet attention has remained confined to entertainment hotspots and stopping places along long-distance highways and cross-border transport corridors. This paper draws attention to informal modes of transit prevalent in sub-Saharan African cities, by linking the rise of two-wheeled, manually operated bicycles, known as "Sacramento", to the potential spread of HIV and AIDS in Malawi. The findings of a qualitative study from Mzuzu city show that Sacramento operators are prone to demanding or accepting sexual favours from female commuters as payment for a ride. We draw on complementary theories of the political ecology of health (PEH) and feminist political ecology to show how a popular belief that Sacramento is an inferior mode of urban transit underpins risky sexual behaviour among men hired to operate this informal mode transport. The findings further show that operators' responses to this perceived inferiority are themselves also driven by gender discourses that seek to validate their identities as powerful go-getters. These scripts also create an environment that fosters multiple sexual partners and venerates unprotected sex. Because Sacramento is both a source of livelihood and an HIV risk milieu, it epitomises the contraction inherent in HIV and AIDS vulnerability in sub-Saharan Africa

Human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis B virus and syphilis infections among longdistance truck drivers in, a Port City in Ghana

Although the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis infections among longdistance truck drivers has been well documented globally, such data are sparse from Africa, and there has been no such data from Ghana. This study carried out between the months of January and June 2013 sought to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors of HIV, HBV and syphilis infections among long distance truck drivers at the Tema sea port, Ghana. Materials and Methods: Of a total of 800 eligible drivers, 106 (13.25%) drivers consented to take part in the study. Subjects voluntarily completed a risk factor questionnaire and provided blood specimen for testing for HIV, syphilis and the surface antigen of HBV (HBsAg). Results: The mean age of the drivers was 40.56 ± 11.56 years. The sero-prevalence of HIV was 0.94%, 14.2% had HBsAg and reactive syphilis serology was 3.8%. On multivariate analysis, the main determinants of HBV infection were; multiple sexual partnership (OR, 6.36; 95% CI: 1.35­29.79), patronage of commercial sex workers (OR, 6.85; 95% CI: 0.88 ­ 52.89), cross-border travelers (OR: 6.89-fold, 95% CI: 0.86 - 55.55) and prolonged duration of trips for more than two weeks (OR: 4.76; 95% CI: 0.59 ­ 38.02). The main determinant of syphilis infection on multivariate analysis was being a Muslim (OR, 2.19; 95% CI: 0.22 ­ 21.74). Conclusion: The data indicate a lower sero-prevalence of HIV but a higher sero-prevalence of syphilis. However, the sero-prevalence of HBV infection is comparable to that of the general population

A Preliminary Study of the Effects of Aircraft Noise on Families who Reside in Close Proximity to an Airport

Background: The use of air transportation has grown in the last century; escalating the noise exposure of families residing in close proximity to airports. The audiological effects need to be assessed to determine the impact of this increase on children and young adults living near to airports in South Africa.Method: Hearing patterns for these individuals were compared to those residing 30 km away from the airport. Sixty people; between the ages of 12-30 years; were assessed. Participants completed a questionnaire and were subjected to a diagnostic audiological test battery and tested using diagnostic distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs).Results: Participants residing in close proximity to the airport presented with a notch configuration in the high frequencies; as opposed to those who lived further away. DPOAEs indicated a change in hearing in the high frequencies between the test populations. The positive relationship between the pure tone results and the DPOAEs strengthens the claim that aircraft noise has an effect on the hearing patterns of individuals living near to airports. Participants also experienced annoyance resulting from such noise.Conclusion: The results highlight the need for investigation into the hearing of individuals who reside in close proximity to airports. Comprehensive studies will be informative and beneficial to the field of audiology in South Africa. The highlighted health and safety issues require in-depth study to formulate a stronger argument for monitoring the hearing of families who are exposed to aircraft noise

Health-Related Baseline Millennium Development Goals Indicators for Local Authorities in Malawi

The Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) is implementing a 12 year programme to close service gaps in rural communities. These service gaps are primarily those in health; education; household food security; water and sanitation; transport and communications. The impact indicators of the Project are selected Millennium Development Goal indicators. MASAF conducted a baseline study of the MDG indicators for all districts in Malawi. This paper presents available health related MDG baseline indicators for all districts in Malawi. Other stakeholders implementing health interventions could use these baseline indicators for planning purposes